Thoughts needed: SA-35 vs FN Hi-Power

[thunderbyrd]

well, i made that awful mistake: i went into a gun store. and there in the case, lo and behold they had the SA 35. but also, the new FN HP. the problem is, i can buy either of them. (or i can buy Neither of them) but i can't decently buy both of them

i did not like the sights on the FN. i loved the weight and feel of it. the sa was a lot lighter. without being able to shoot them, i can't tell much except the cost.

any knowledge, thoughts, opinions are welcome. i am very happy with my SA 1911's.

 

[Rock185]

I've never come across the new FN High Power in a shop or gun show. FN doesn't build junk, so I have no doubt it's a good pistol in it's own right. Since the 60s though, my experience has been with a number of FN/Browning Hi Powers, one ratty old INGLIS, and for the last year or so the SA-35 Hi Power. I've had no desire to acquire the new FN High Power. Were I in the market, and I was a year or so ago, I'd go with the SA-35. Mine has been a good reliable pistol in spite of all the negative internet reports....

 

[thunderbyrd]

both are brand new btw. we're talking about 300-400 dollar difference.

 

[Rockrivr1]

FN is a classic. SA is a new to market and I've heard of some issues. They might have them worked out by now, but if up to me I'd go with the FN.

 

[Lefty38-55]

Or solve it all and get a CZ75! Or if on a strict budget ... the SAR B6, lol! (Have both, less the SAR is the B6C model ... has been flawless!)

 

[Gork10]

Between the two I'd go with the SA over the FN. I've handled both. Both feel like well made pistols. The FN just doesn't feel like a traditional hi power. CZ75's are never a bad choice.

 

[thunderbyrd]

Or solve it all and get a CZ75! Or if on a strict budget ... the SAR B6, lol! (Have both, less the SAR is the B6C model ... has been flawless!)

I already have a cz 75. and it is an excellent firearm.

 

[Riomouse911]

I have an SA 35. They addressed several of the issues including the beaver tail/hammer bite and the lever size. The sights are very good, though I am not the worlds biggest fan of the “U notch” rear sight picture. I bought a few nickel SA 15 round magazine’s to supplement the blued originals. All have been 100% so far..

I found it to be a very nice handling and accurate 9mm that has a soft recoil impulse in my hands (probably due to how the grip fits my hands). My only issue shooting it involves my right thumb potentially pushing up on the safety lever. I caught this condition and changed my grip slightly to prevent it from occurring.

As usual, the inter webs blew up stories from the very first production run of guns, those issues were addressed quite some time ago.

I have only handled the FN, and I have no doubt they are as nice a shooter as the SA. It really boils down to what emblem you want on your gun and what you want to pay.



Stay safe.

 

[thunderbyrd]

well, i brought the SA 35 home. it'll be day after tomorrow before i can shoot it. i field stripped it and cleaned off some soot and lubed it a little. a strange thing: the end of the guide rod appears to be plastic. we'll see how that goes.

i understand that the FN is considered more classic, but it's considerably changed from the original. after watching some videos, reading posts here, and thinking about how happy i am with my other Springfields Armory guns, this one got the nod.

 

[Riomouse911]

well, i brought the SA 35 home. it'll be day after tomorrow before i can shoot it. i field stripped it and cleaned off some soot and lubed it a little. a strange thing: the end of the guide rod appears to be plastic. we'll see how that goes.

i understand that the FN is considered more classic, but it's considerably changed from the original. after watching some videos, reading posts here, and thinking about how happy i am with my other Springfields Armory guns, this one got the nod.

If you like the original HP, I think you will like the SA-35. As usual, let us know how it shoots for you.

Stay safe.

 

[tactikel]

The price difference of the FN will be made up if you ever sell. Both will be fine shooters, I’d favor the FN if you can afford it.

 

[PCFlorida]

I have them both and I favor the SA-35. Very accurate (and it only cost about half of the FN of which I have one of also) and a hoot to shoot.

 

[actionexpress]

I've had two SA-35s, couple of Hi Powers over the years and I got to shoot the new "High Power" recently. I liked the FN the best, it has a more tactile reset and in stainless it's just a looker. One of my SA-35s had a defective slide release, the other had the extractor issue, which I'm assuming has been sorted out. If you want to get as close to a HP as possible, the SA35 is excellent. My one beef with the new FN is the grip panels, they are ultra flimsy, heck you can almost pry them off the frame with your finger.

 

[hso]

any knowledge,

Wellllll, the so-called current FN Hi Power isn't. It isn't a Hi Power if you want a FN GP35. The SA-35 is supposed to be a Hi Power in form and function with improvements that most HP fans would have done. The new FN is just the Hi Power "brand" jacked up with a new gun dropped under it. Is the FN a fine handgun? By all reports. Is the SA-35 a fine handgun? By many reports. If you want a GP35 the SA or the Girsan is the way to go. If you want a more modern handgun, the modern FNHP might be the choice.

BTW, I'm a bit of a Hi Power fanboi and have a "couple" (pre-War, both sides during the War, post-War, Ts, Cs, Argies) so I'm biased against FN using the Hi Power name for their new pistol.

 

[Nature Boy]

One is a faithful copy of the venerable Hi Power, the other is a completely different pistol with some inspirational Hi Power aesthetics.

Which appeals to you?

 

[Madcap_Magician]

FN is a classic. SA is a new to market and I've heard of some issues. They might have them worked out by now, but if up to me I'd go with the FN.

The FN High Power is less similar to the Browning Hi-Power than the SA-35 is. The SA-35 is like a Browning Hi-Power with some modernizing tweaks, the FN High Power is more like a different gun that is aesthetically similar to the Browning Hi-Power. Personally I am interested in both, so in the case of the OP, I'd handle them both and see what I thought. The FN is heavier and larger, so if there was thought to making it a carry gun, there is that to bear in mind.

 

[thunderbyrd]

shot my SA 35today, 75 rds, no malfunctions.